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Now Thames Valley Police are warning the public not to approach Redding and to call 999 if he is spotted.

As of Thursday morning (November 23) Redding was still on the run, according to Thames Valley Police.

Nicholas Redding, guilty of a murder in Yeovil in 1994, is on the run after absconding from prison (Image: Thames Valley Police)

Redding's crime

Scroll through a timeline explaining Redding's shocking murder and the original search for him - article continues below.

Time Line

The murder of Michael Fry by Nicholas Redding - a timeline

March 30, 1994

Michael Fry, 44, a cleaner at Tesco, was found in his dressing gown, beaten to death in his Cavalier Way flat in Yeovil

June 1994

Police renewed their appeal for help on national television, with the BBC’s Crimewatch programme broadcasting a reconstruction

1997

Detectives review the case to look for ways of reigniting the investigation. DNA technology is considered and statements gone over

October 1998

More than four years after the brutal death, Nicholas Redding, then 26, is charged with murder

October 1999

The trial of Nicholas Redding begins in Bristol

Monday, December 20, 1999

A jury unanimously finds Redding guilty of murder. A Western Gazette report of the trial described Redding as looking ‘expressionless’ as the guilty verdict was delivered.

The judge told Redding: “You have been convicted of murder.

"On the night of 29 March 1994 you tied up Michael Fry and killed him by hitting his head several times with a hammer.

"You then mutilated his body by partly cutting through the neck with a saw.”

It emerged that nine people had come forward claiming Redding had confessed his guilt and a Sheffield jeweller came forward after seeing Crimewatch to say a watch similar to one taken from Mr Fry’s house had been brought into their store.

Redding then began serving his life sentence for murder

June 2001

Ted Allen, an outgoing Chief Superintendent of east Somerset police, told the Western Gazette DNA testing technology had been key to bringing Redding to justice.

He said: “Some cases would never have been solved if it had not been for the scientific progress that has been made it is amazing."

He used the example of Mr Fry's murder, which went unsolved for five years, to touch on the hard work and frustrations his officers faced.

He added: "With all major cases a huge amount of work goes in during the early stages and if a successful conclusion is not reached and if it is unsolved it is an unsatisfactory situation. Consequently when new technology enables a successful result to take place it is immensely satisfying for the officers who were involved at the first stage."

November 19, 2017

Redding absconded from HMP Springhill on November 19

November 21, 2017

Police launch appeal advising public to ring 999 if they spot Redding, who is described as having an opaque eye

November 28, 2017

Redding remains at large, Thames Valley Police confirm

The prison

Springhill prison is a category D men's prison, situated in the village of Grendon Underwood in Buckinghamshire.

Springhill is jointly managed with HMP Grendon - the two prisons are next to each other.

HMP Springhill is apparently as an "open resettlement" prison for inmates serving the final few years of their sentences, according to information available online.

Thames Valley Police say Redding's escape from Springhill is unconnected to other people who have absconded from the prison.

He absconded on November 19.

The entrance to HMP Springhill and HMP Grendon in Buckinghamshire (Image: Google)

Nicholas Redding

Redding, aged 45, is described as white, 6ft, of slim build, with dark brown hair and hazel eyes.

He is blind in his right eye which appears to be opaque. He has a West Country accent.

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What's your view on this story? Have you got another local story? Email liam.trim@westgaz.co.uk with your stories and reactions.

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